English Composition I

English Composition I

English Composition I

Duke University

About this course: You will gain a foundation for college-level writing valuable for nearly any field. Students will learn how to read carefully, write effective arguments, understand the writing process, engage with others' ideas, cite accurately, and craft powerful prose.
Course Learning Objectives
• Summarize, analyze, question, and evaluate written and visual texts
• Argue and support a position
• Recognize audience and disciplinary expectations
• Identify and use the stages of the writing process
• Identify characteristics of effective prose
• Apply proper citation practices
• Discuss applying your writing knowledge to other writing occasions

Who is this class for: This course is open to any student interested in improving their writing. The content is equivalent to a semester of a first-year writing course. Students should have basic English proficiency and exposure to secondary-level (high-school level) English or composition.

To start our course, we will examine your own writing process and what it means to respond to the writing of others. We will also think about what academic writing means.

4 videos, 2 readings

Video: I am a Writer

Video: Responding to Others' Writing

Reading: I am a Writer Sample Feedback

Discussion Prompt: I am a Writer (Tell Your Story)

Video: What is Academic Writing?

Video: Understanding Your Writing Process

Discussion Prompt: Share Your Quirks and Rituals

Reading: A Note About Deadlines

WEEK 2

Critical Reading

This week will concentrate on the skill of reading critically. Additionally, we will learn about the conventions of academic writing, including integrating evidence and schools of citation. Finally, you are encouraged to write your own critical review of "The Sweet Spot." This is an optional writing assignment, but it is a requirement to receive a honor's certificate.

5 videos, 4 readings

Video: Active Reading

Reading: Daniel Coyle, "The Sweet Spot"

Discussion Prompt: Group A: Main claim and evidence

Discussion Prompt: Group B: Aims/Purposes

Discussion Prompt: Group C: Methods

Discussion Prompt: Group D: Occasion/Context

Discussion Prompt: Group E: Questions

Video: Integrating Evidence

Video: Moving from Discussion to Draft

Video: Schools of Citation

Reading: Academic Writing Resources

Reading: Critical Review Examples

Reading: Critical Review: Sample Feedback

Video: Critical Review Writing Workshop

Discussion Prompt: Critical Review Questions and Feedback

Discussion Prompt: Looking For a Writing Workshop?

Graded: Critical Review

WEEK 3

Project 1: Visual Analysis

This week, the central topic is visual images in academic writing. The goal is to practice interpreting and writing about images convincingly. Plus, Dr. Comer will help you think about what area of inquiry you would like to focus on in this course and what it means to write a draft. Finally, you will write your visual analysis and learn how to give meaningful feedback.

9 videos, 4 readings

Video: Selecting Your Area of Expertise

Video: What is a Draft?

Video: Reading Visual Images

Discussion Prompt: Sample Image: Artist

Discussion Prompt: Sample Image: Ruins

Discussion Prompt: Sample Image: Earth

Discussion Prompt: Sample Image: Scientist

Discussion Prompt: Sample Image: Writing

Discussion Prompt: Sample Image: Businessman

Reading: Geoffrey Colvin, "What It Takes To Be Great"

Video: Using Images in Scholarly Writing

Video: Effective Claims

Discussion Prompt: The 5 Cs of Effective Claims

Reading: Sample Essays for Project 1

Reading: More Resources for Visual Analysis

Video: Responding Towards Revision

Video: Feedback on Visual Analysis Draft

Reading: Sample Feedback Visual Analysis Draft

Video: Workshopping Writing

Video: Visual Analysis Writing Workshop

Discussion Prompt: Visual Analysis Questions and Feedback

Discussion Prompt: Looking For a Writing Workshop?

Graded: Visual Analysis Draft

WEEK 4

Revision Strategies and Visual Analysis Revision

Based on the feedback of your colleagues improve your visual analysis. After you receive feedback on your final submission, submit a self-reflection quiz about your experience writing this project.

4 videos, 1 reading

Video: Incorporating Others' Feedback

Video: Strategies for Revision

Video: Crafting Effective Titles

Video: Editing Strategies

Reading: Sample Feedback Visual Analysis Final

Graded: Visual Analysis Final

Graded: Visual Analysis Self-Reflection

WEEK 5

Project 2: Case Study

This week, various aspects of effective research will be discussed, such as creating an annotated bibliography, research strategies, and avoiding plagiarism. You will conduct research for your next project, a case study, contribute to an annotated bibliography, and submit your case study draft.

6 videos, 3 readings

Video: Annotated Bibliography

Video: Spotlight Video_Scholarly and Popular Articles

Video: Spotlight Video_Finding Articles

Reading: Research Tools

Video: Avoiding Plagiarism

Reading: Annotated Bibliography How-To

Discussion Prompt: Annotated Bibliography: Hobbies

Discussion Prompt: Annotated Bibliography: Sports

Discussion Prompt: Annotated Bibliography: Science

Discussion Prompt: Annotated Bibliography: Economics

Discussion Prompt: Annotated Bibliography: Lifestyle

Discussion Prompt: Annotated Bibliography: Technology

Discussion Prompt: Annotated Bibliography: Humanities

Discussion Prompt: Annotated Bibliography: Other

Video: Intertextual Conversation

Reading: Case Studies Resources

Video: Case Study Writing Workshop

Discussion Prompt: Case Study Questions and Feedback

Discussion Prompt: Looking For a Writing Workshop?

Graded: Case Study Draft

WEEK 6

Writing Cohesively and Case Study Revision

In preparation for improving your case study, Professor Comer will present strategies of writing more cohesively. After receiving your final feedback, please submit a self-reflection about this project.

3 videos, 2 readings

Video: Introductions

Video: Conclusions

Video: Paragraph Unity

Reading: Geoffrey Colvin, "What It Takes To Be Great"

Reading: Case Study Sample Feedback

Graded: Case Study Final

Graded: Case Study Self-Reflection

WEEK 7

Project 3: Op-Ed

This week, Professor Comer introduces the idea of public scholarship, how academic writing can be transformed for a broader public. Her guest, David Jarmul, will give an overview of how to write an op-ed. You will then have the opportunity to write your own.

6 videos, 1 reading

Video: Public Scholarship

Video: Spotlight on Op-Eds with David Jarmul_part 1

Video: Spotlight on Op-Eds with David Jarmul_part 2

Video: Active and Passive Voice

Video: Enhancing Sentence Style

Reading: Resources for Writing Op-Eds

Video: Op-Ed Writing Workshop

Discussion Prompt: Op-Ed Questions and Feedback

Discussion Prompt: Looking For a Writing Workshop?

Graded: Op-Ed Draft

WEEK 8

Crafting Powerful Prose and Op-Ed Revision

This week Professor Comer will address the topic of concise writing; how to convey meaning with fewer words. Your task is to rewrite your op-ed.

2 videos, 1 reading

Video: Concise Writing_Reducing Redundancy and Making Words Matter

Video: Concise Writing Part 2_Noticing Prepositional Phrases

Reading: Op-Ed Sample Feedback

Graded: Op-Ed Final

Graded: Op-Ed Self-Reflection

WEEK 9

Transferring Writing Practices, Skills, and Knowledge to New Contexts

This final week is dedicated to how to move forward with your writing and apply the skills learned in this course to new contexts. Your final assignment is a self-reflection about your development as a writer over the last several weeks.

2 videos

Video: Writing Transfer

Video: Special Topics_Creative Non-fiction

Graded: Final Self-Reflection

WEEK 10

Writing in the Humanities, Social Science, and Natural Sciences

Additional videos that highlight differences in academic writing across disciplines.

17 videos

Video: Spotlight on the Humanities: Academic Writing

Video: Spotlight on the Humanities: Writing Process

Video: Spotlight on the Humanities: MLA Citations

Video: Spotlight on the Humanities: Use of Visual Images

Video: Special Topic in the Humanities: MLA Citation of Media and Internet Resources

Video: Spotlight on the Humanities: Public Writing

Video: Spotlight on the Natural Sciences: Academic Writing

Video: Spotlight on the Natural Sciences: Writing Process

Video: Spotlight on the Natural Sciences: CSE Citations

Video: Spotlight on the Natural Sciences: Use of Visual Images

Video: Spotlight on the Natural Sciences: Public Writing

Video: Spotlight on the Social Sciences: Academic Writing

Video: Spotlight on the Social Sciences: Writing Process

Video: Spotlight on the Social Sciences: APA Citations

Video: Spotlight on the Social Sciences: Use of Visual Images

Video: Special Topics in the Social Sciences: Issues of Language Use

Video: Spotlight on the Social Sciences: Public Writing

FAQs

How It Works

Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

Help from Your Peers

Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material,
and get help mastering concepts.

Certificates

Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends,
colleagues, and employers.

Creators

Duke University

Duke University has about 13,000 undergraduate and graduate students and a world-class faculty helping to expand the frontiers of knowledge. The university has a strong commitment to applying knowledge in service to society, both near its North Carolina campus and around the world.